insulin degludec at a glance
Medicine class
Long-acting basal insulin analogue
Licensed use
Diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children aged 1 year and over
Administration
Injected under the skin using a compatible reusable pen
Main safety risk
Low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia)
What is insulin degludec used for?
Licensed uses for the selected product:
Treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults.
Treatment of diabetes mellitus in adolescents and children aged 1 year and over.
Basal insulin coverage as part of an individual diabetes treatment plan.
How does insulin degludec work?
After injection under the skin, insulin degludec forms a depot from which it is absorbed slowly and steadily. It helps muscle and fat cells take up glucose and reduces glucose release from the liver.
How to take insulin degludec
Use the cartridge only with a compatible reusable insulin delivery system. Follow the device instructions and training from your diabetes team.
Inject into the fatty layer under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm; do not inject into a vein or muscle.
Rotate injection sites and avoid lumpy, thickened, shrunken or damaged skin.
Check the insulin name and label before every injection.
Use a new needle each time and dispose of it in a sharps container.
Use only if the solution is clear and colourless. Do not use it in an insulin pump or mix it with another medicinal product.
insulin degludec side effects
Common or expected effects
- Hypoglycaemia, which may cause sweating, shaking, hunger, palpitations, confusion, drowsiness or visual disturbance.
- Injection-site pain, redness, swelling or itching.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypoglycaemia causing inability to self-treat, seizure or unconsciousness.
- A serious allergic reaction with breathing difficulty, widespread swelling, dizziness or collapse.
- Severe hyperglycaemia or diabetic ketoacidosis, particularly after inadequate or stopped insulin.
- Skin thickening, shrinking or amyloid lumps that disrupt insulin absorption; seek clinical review and avoid injecting into affected areas.
insulin degludec in pregnancy
Insulin degludec may be considered during pregnancy when clinically needed. Contact your diabetes or maternity team when planning pregnancy or as soon as pregnancy is confirmed because insulin requirements and monitoring commonly change.
insulin degludec while breastfeeding
Insulins can be used while breastfeeding. Insulin requirements may change after birth, so glucose should be monitored and treatment reviewed. Seek advice if the baby is unusually drowsy, pale, sweaty or shaky, or is not gaining weight as expected.
insulin degludec interactions
Medicines and substances that alter glucose can change insulin requirements. Check with a clinician when starting or stopping other treatments.
Other glucose-lowering medicines
May increase hypoglycaemia risk, requiring closer glucose monitoring and treatment review.
Beta-blockers
May lower glucose and make warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia harder to recognise.
Glucocorticoids
Tablets or injections can raise blood glucose and change insulin requirements.
Common questions about insulin degludec
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is insulin degludec a long-acting insulin?
Yes. It is a basal insulin analogue providing slow, steady background insulin activity.
Can it treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Yes. It is licensed for diabetes mellitus; its place alongside other treatments depends on the type of diabetes and individual treatment plan.
Can children use it?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.